ISLAM: Beliefs, Practices, and Current Issues

Basic Beliefs of Islam
ž Belief in Allah:

• Ultimately, he is unknowable
• Allah makes no promises to mankind
• Allah does not reveal himself to mankind
• Allah can change truth into lies

ž Belief in angels and demons (jinn)
ž Belief in the “holy books” and the eternal tablet in Heaven
ž Belief in the “prophets of God”
ž Belief in the “day of judgment”
ž Belief in the “decrees of Allah” (everything is the will of Allah)


Beliefs Related to the Bible
ž Jesus is an inspired prophet, but was never crucified; Allah lifted him to heaven
ž Muslims trace their roots back to Abraham through Ishmael, Hagar’s son
ž The Kabba is where Abraham and Ishmael made a well

Basic Practices: The Five Pillars
ž The Shahada: The basic creed: “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his prophet.”
ž The Salat: Praying five times a day in the direction of Mecca
ž The Zakat: 2% Almsgiving
ž Sawm: Fasting (Ramadan: month-long fast)
ž The Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca

The Specifics of the Hajj

ž Circle around the Kabba
ž March between the two mountains (7X): symbolizes Hagar’s time in the desert
ž The Plain of Arafat: One day in the desert for personal prayer
ž Small Town of Mina: Throwing 7 stones at a pillar (the stoning of Satan; the forgiveness of sins)
ž Last prayer service around the Kabba


Jihad: Holy War

• “To exert, to struggle, or to go to war on behalf of Allah.”
• The Greater Jihad: An inner struggle
• The Lesser Jihad: Engaging in open warfare